Life-care Community' Plans Are Announced For Wyomissing Site

July 10, 1986|The Morning Call

Berks County will have another "life-care community" in mid-1988 on 50 acres in Wyomissing, according to plans announced by Berkshire Health System and The Lutheran Home at Topton, partners in the venture.

The latest Berks project is still unnamed but will be along Cambridge Avenue on ground purchased from the Wyomissing Foundation. The proposed costs of development, number of dwellings, number of employees and other details have not been disclosed yet.

"The joint development of a fully integrated residential and health-care community for people of retirement ages is an idea whose time has come," said Alfred Hemmerich, chairman of Berkshire Health.

"The development of these communities has been highly successful in other areas of the country, " he added.

The Lutheran Home operates two life-care communities, Luther Crest in South Whitehall Township in Lehigh County, where there are 310 dwellings, and Tower Court in Topton in Berks County, which has 50 residential units. The Rev. Richard Krapf, chairman of The Lutheran Home, said:

"The daily needs of the residents - independent living, dining and recreational opportunities - will be met by careful planning and design. Just as important, however, will be the continuum of health-care services available to residents. If needed, at-home health care can be provided, as well as skilled and intermediate care at the designated center in the community." Krapf added that people at The Lutheran Home are experienced in long-term and residential services for the elderly.

The role of Berkshire Health will be the overall delivery of health services.

A 10-member task force from Berkshire Health and The Lutheran Home is overseeing the planning and development of the project, which will feature open spaces and a campus-like atmosphere. James Urda, of Berkshire Health, is staff coordinator.

The Lutheran Home was founded in 1896 as a refuge for orphans and has since expanded to include residential and health-care services for the elderly and counseling services for families.

Berkshire Health, established in 1985, is an affiliation of health-care providers, consisting of The Reading Hospital, Community General Hospital, SurgiMed, a home health-care equipment agency and Stern's Pharmacy.

Membership may expand to other hospitals and health-related organizations to provide a more comprehensive network of services in Berks and adjoining counties.